Levaquin – An Insight
Levaquin is a 3rd-generation of fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Ortho-McNeil, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson manufactures it. It is a prescription drug for the treatment of bacterial infection in different parts of the body.
However, Levaquin patients reported about various side effects, but the most severe side effect has been the risk of developing Achilles tendonitis. Several studies have been published in medical journals proving patients using Levaquin suffered from tendon rupture and levofloxacin-induced tendonopathy.
In 2008, Public Citizen, sued FDA to issue black box warning against all fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Therefore, FDA declared its plan to issue black box warning on prescription drug Levaquin. This warning highlights the risk of tendon ruptures and tendonitis among the patients using this drug. According to the FDA, such ruptures include Achilles tendon, but may also cause the ruptures of biceps, shoulders, thumbs and hands.
Risks Associated with the use of Levaquin
Recently FDA approved Levaquin, an anti bacterial drug to be used in children. Levaquin is a part of fluoroquinolone cluster of oral medications. It is a prescription drug for the treatment of acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, community-acquired pneumonia, acute bacterial sinusitis, noscocomial pneumonia, complicated skin structure and skin infections, urinary tract infections, acute pyelonephritis caused by Escherichia coli and chronic bacterial prostates.
Ortho-McNeil introduced Levaquin to the market in 1996. However, the oral solution of this drug was released in 2004. Although, Levaquin is used to treat the wide range of bacterial infections, it is also used fro the treatment of airborne anthrax. Recently, FDA approved it to use it for the treatment of anthrax contamination and as an anti bacterial component among children.
The manufacturers of this drug suggests that the patients suffering from diabetes, kidney diseases or spinal cord or brain conditions should not take this drug as it may lead to the following side effects:
- Blood level spikes and indiscretion in diabetic patients.
- Slow absorption in patients suffering from kidney disease.
- Irrepressible seizures in the patients suffering from brain or spinal cord injury.
Side Effects of Levaquin
According to the producers of Levaquin, the most common side effects that occurred in the clinical trials of Levaquin are nausea, constipation, insomnia, headache, diarrhea and dizziness. Additionally, patients suffering from any of the following:
- Burning skin sensation
- Jaundice
- Cramps, tenderness or severe pain in abdomen
- Diarrhea
- Redness, blisters or selling of the skin
- Seizures or trembling
- Tingling in fingers and numbness in limbs
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Psychosis, hallucinations and confusions
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Pain or swelling in muscles or legs
According to recent researchers, individuals having a history of medical conditions are at a higher risk of the side effects of using Levaquin. According to the Mayo Clinic, following medications may cause adverse reactions:
- cyclosporine
- theophylline
- heart rhythm medications
- blood thinners
- ulcer medication
- insulin
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin
- didanosine
- antacids
- supplements or vitamins containing zinc or iron
Levaquin can Cause Tendon Ruptures:
The former and current patients using Levaquin are at an increased risk of developing Achilles tendon. According to the articles published in The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, The Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy and The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, patients using Levaquin have been severely affected by tendon rupture and tendonopathy.
According to an article published in the Journal of American Board of Family Medicine, the development of tendon ruptures is characterized by the swelling and pain in legs. In most of the cases, tendonitis among the patients using Levaquin occurs within first few weeks of using Levaquin. However, it may also occur after the completion of drug’s cycle. This study reported that the Food and Drug Administration cited the relation between drugs and tendon ruptures in 1991 during the quinolone class of drug.
However, in 1996 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the “Report of Adverse Effects” of fluoroquinolones. Since then 200 cases of tendon rupture have occurred in a period of ten years. However, neither the drugs have been recalled nor new and stronger warnings have been issued.
Individuals who have been exposed to the use of Levaquin should consult their healthcare professional to track the side effects of Levaquin. Further, they should consult the pharmaceutical lawyer to file a lawsuit against the company.